Sino Iron

The massive Sino Iron project operates out of Cape Preston, 100 kilometres south west of Karratha in Western Australia's Pilbara region. It is the largest magnetite mining and processing operation in Australia, adding value to the Western Australian economy through the downstream processing of magnetite ore - delivering employment and other major community benefits while balancing social and environmental considerations.

Sino Iron is owned by Hong Kong-based CITIC Limited and represents the largest-ever overseas investment in the resources sector, by a Chinese entity. Production of magnetite concentrate started in late 2012 and all six processing lines became fully operational in 2016.

Project Quick Facts

Sino Iron and its contractors directly employ almost 3,000 people and support another 3,000 indirect jobs in WA, mainly through suppliers.

A 2017 analysis by Deloitte Access Economics found the total export earnings of the project would exceed $100 billion dollars in the coming years with a further $51 billion spent in WA on procurement of goods and services. The WA Government will receive more than $5 billion in royalties over the life of the project.

Australia and China will enjoy mutual wide-ranging benefits from the Sino Iron project including long-term economic, social and community dividends.